Kinshasa skate festival aims to change perceptions of urban sports

More than 500 young people gathered in Kinshasa for the second edition of the To Skater Festival, a three-day celebration of skateboarding and urban culture aimed at inspiring a new generation of athletes and artists.

The festival featured skateboarding clinics, street art, music, dance, film screenings, and discussions on the future of urban sports in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Organizer Eldie Malonga says the goal is to promote skateboarding and challenge long-held misconceptions about the sport.

"The goal of the To Skater Festival is to promote skateboarding and urban arts in the DRC, encouraging young people to take their first steps in skateboarding, which is still not widely recognized in our country. We want to highlight skateboarding and street art so people who marginalize these urban arts can change the way they see them."

Experienced skaters also used the festival to pass their skills on to the next generation.

Patrice Nelatera, Skateboard Instructor: "Skateboarding is a form of street art passed from one generation to the next. We're here to skate, but as we grow older, skateboarding will remain as a legacy for the younger generation. That's why we're here—to share that heritage."

For beginners like Atosha Goodlife, the festival has opened the door to bigger dreams.

"Learning to skateboard makes me happy because many people still don't know how to skate. One day, I'd like to represent my country in major skateboarding competitions and then teach other young people what I've learned."

As skateboarding continues to grow in popularity, organizers hope the festival will help establish urban sports as an important part of Congo's cultural and sporting future.